Glauconite: description and scope of use

One of the most beneficial minerals used by humans in many areas is glauconite. Many people do not even suspect that a huge number of fertilizers, cosmetics, medicine and other drugs and substances used daily include this component. Therefore, it is important to know what effects it can have on health, what are the main properties of this natural mineral and where exactly it is used most often. The answers to all these questions will be discussed in detail in our article.

Glauconite can be distinguished from other minerals by its characteristic green hue with various types of color impurities. Such a mineral can usually be seen among sedimentary rocks in areas where phosphorites, marls, sands are found, as well as in coastal marine areas. The formation of this stone occurs in the oceans, and the participation of various marine organisms is possible.

The class to which a similar mineral belongs is - semi-precious stones of the first order (according to the classification created by A. Fersman and M. Bauer). The name of the stone comes from the Greek word guakos, the translation of which means "green-blue, bluish-green, light green", according to the main colors present in this rock.

In the paleogenic deposits, the stone is present in four forms - distant, authigenic, allogenic, and allotigenic relict. The authigenic type of glauconite contains more than fifty chemicals. By their ratio, one can obtain information on the paleogeographic factors of glauconitization.

The composition of this mineral includes quite a few components, among which one can distinguish such as sodium oxide, iron oxide, magnesium oxide, water, potassium oxide, aluminum oxide, iron oxide, silicon dioxide.

The determining factor in the division of glauconite into types is the color of the mineral. It can be presented in the following shades:

• dark green with olive tint;
• black and green;
• black and yellow;
• green-yellow;
• green with a bluish tint;
• herbal shade of green.

There is a kind of glauconite, the composition of which is characterized by a large amount of potassium. It is called celadonite. Such a stone is presented in the form of spherocrystalline elements with a radial-fibrous structure. It is found in the territories of Denmark, Hungary, USA, Italy and Ukraine.

Usually deposits of a mineral such as glauconite can be found where there are Mesozoic sedimentary rocks. Mineral is mined on the eastern slope of the Urals, as well as on the territory of Ukraine.

You will learn more about the glauconite deposit in the Moscow region by watching the following video.

Like any mineral, glauconite has a number of physical properties that subsequently determine the scope of use of this stone. These properties include:

• opacity;
• glass luster;
• matte sheen;
• fragility;
• density indicators from 2.3 to 2.9 g / cm³;
• earthy fracture of granular type;
• does not form large clusters;
• the mineral is difficult to melt, while black glass forms;
• the most important property of glauconite is its ability to absorb radioactive components;
• in nature, this mineral is released in the form of balls or grains of the isometric type, as well as their clusters, the release in the form of crystals is extremely rare.

Due to its unique composition, glauconite is popular in various fields of activity and services. Most often it is used in the following forms.

• As fertilizer, due to the large amount of potassium oxide in the composition of the mineral. Even complex fertilizers of the potassium-phosphorus type are made on the basis of glauconite. Mineral-based fertilizer has various beneficial properties:
  • it saturates the soil layers with nutrients such as zinc, manganese, boron and copper;
  • helps in maintaining the necessary moisture balance in the soil;
  • has a stimulating effect on the growth of seedlings, and also makes them more resistant to diseases;
  • an important feature of such fertilizers is their effect on the concentration of toxic substances, preventing oversaturation of plants with them;
  • This type of fertilizer, such as glauconite flour, helps to increase the yield of some crops (for example, potatoes and certain types of cereals).

• The mineral is used as a raw material in the manufacture of industrial-type green paints or for painting... The technology for the production of dry-type facade paints based on gluaconite is also actively used.

• Due to the fact that glauconite has sorbent properties, it is used in the technology of filtering water from heavy metals and salts, often the mineral is used for the operation of treatment facilities. It is also able to reduce water hardness. This is due to the cation exchange in which the mineral is involved.

• Due to the ability to reduce radiation levels, glauconite is used to restore places affected by it, as well as those territories that are affected by the activities of man-made enterprises.

• Glauconite is effective for use in animal husbandry. It acts as an integral part of the feed of various farm animals. It has the following types of positive effects on various inhabitants of farms and private households.
  • Improves metabolic processes in the body of animals.
  • Reduces the concentration of toxic elements that are formed in the organs of animals.
  • Promotes an increase in live weight in pigs, as well as obtaining larger offspring from sows.
  • When the mineral is added to feed for sheep, it has been shown to increase resistance to various diseases, including brucellosis. In addition, the mineral-enriched feed promotes more intensive hair growth.
  • When using this supplement, the body of poultry begins to better absorb iron, since glauconite contributes to a balanced distribution of sodium and potassium in the body.
  • In cattle, when using the mineral, a significant increase in growth is observed.
  • The mineral, in addition to being an additive to feed, is also used as bedding for animals. Such a layer is useful because it improves hygiene in premises where livestock live, reducing the amount of harmful gases and emissions.

• This mineral has not bypassed the sphere of fish farming. Thanks to its addition to the reservoir, the processes of phytoplankton development are activated, the growth rates and weight gain of young fish increase significantly.

• Even in the petrochemical industry, glauconite is neededbecause it is used for dehydration and desalting of oil.

• Since the mineral has a clay texture, its second name in the field of medicine and cosmetology is "green clay". For cosmetic purposes, masks are created that help to normalize processes in skin cells, make its texture softer, and also prevent aging processes.

1. removal of heavy metals from the body;
2. preventing anemia;
3. improvement of reproductive processes;
4. establishing a balance in the work of the endocrine system;
5. stimulation of regeneration processes;
6. stabilization of the work of enzymes in the intestine;
7. increasing the level of resistance to stress;
8. providing immunomodulating effects;
9. an obstacle to the development of sclerosis;
10. stabilization of protein, carbohydrate and lipid processes.

For how a stone looks under a microscope, see below.